WHACKING Synonyms: 406 Similar and Opposite Words

whacking 1 of 3

adjective

ˈ(h)wa-kiŋ

Definition of whacking

as in giant

unusually large harvested a whacking number of zucchini from the garden

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

whacking

2 of 3

adverb

as in extremely

to a great degree the clown wore a whacking big pair of shoes

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

whacking

3 of 3

verb

present participle of whack

as in smacking

to deliver a blow to (someone or something) usually in a strong vigorous manner whacked the vending machine to get the candy bar to fall

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in murdering

slang to put to death deliberately without a second thought the mob boss had them whacked

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of whacking

Verb

There are frightening stories of swordfish charging boats, and even spearing their transoms and whacking propellers. — Bob McNally, Outdoor Life, 26 Aug. 2026 Yes, there were moments of humor, such as getting magic potions around the campfire at the end of each stage by whacking helpless little elves, but most of it was played straight, to great effect. — Ollie Barder, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026 As the movie shows, local foodies would swarm the ocean whenever striped bass appeared, reeling them in with pieces of Wonder Bread and then whacking them on the head. — Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 7 Aug. 2026 Larry Hayes, 86, and Bill Moniz, 79, hit the tennis courts in Mountain View three to four times a week — whacking balls across the net as teammates for one to three hours a week. — Panashe Matemba-Mutasa, Mercury News, 27 May 2026 And the crowd clearly expected that pucks whacking the nets would be at a premium in this series, too. — ABC News, 4 May 2026 But, really, just being on the island feels like meditative wellness, including taking a golf club and a biodegradable ball from the island shop and whacking it into the sea. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026 Ultimately, the Yanks would spend 2 hours and 45 minutes on the court, meaning 2023 champion Tiafoe, who had prevailed in two previous marathons, wound up whacking balls for eight-plus hours in his ultimately futile bid for reach a fourth consecutive final here. — Dale Robertson, Houston Chronicle, 4 Apr. 2026 And Matt was whacking them with his stick. — Big Think, 31 Mar. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for whacking

Adjective

Earlier, in a downpour at daybreak, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and top military officials stood outside and watched as a giant American flag was unfurled on the building struck by one of those planes a quarter-century ago.

— Collin Binkley, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026
The lobby is especially cozy, with a giant stone fireplace, unique antiques, stacks of books, and classic board games.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of giant

Verb

Carrington was ejected from the game in the first half after smacking Cunningham across the face during Cunningham's layup attempt.

— Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 9 Aug. 2026
Catcher Daniel Susac followed up Wednesday’s two-home-run game by smacking a two-run shot, and the Giants bullpen didn’t break down while protecting a 4-1 victory.

— Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 31 July 2026

Definition of smacking

Verb

Rhys plays Nile Jarvis, the menacing and manipulative real estate scion suspected of murdering his first wife.

— Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2026
As interviewees list justifications for murdering civilians, including children, the camera’s gaze eventually falls on the IDF’s own military headquarters.

— Siddhant Adlakha, IndieWire, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of murdering

Adjective

The cast’s Blackness is a huge part of this — signifying is in their blood — but the impact spread across the whole franchise.

— Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 7 Sep. 2026
That was a play with huge ramifications that, to some extent, still sticks with Williams.

— Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of huge

Verb

At the weigh-ins and face-off for the IBF heavyweight championship fight, Itauma shoved Hrgovic off the stage and the latter retaliated by slapping the former's face.

— Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Already, Skubal’s joining in on pregame handshake lines and slapping the dugout railing in time to Roki Sasaki’s warm-up music.

— Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of slapping

Verb

Tyler Robinson, the man accused of assassinating conservative activist Charlie Kirk, will stand trial after a Utah judge ruled Tuesday that prosecutors presented enough evidence to move forward on all seven charges against him.

— Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 2 Sep. 2026
Ferrell instead starred as the villainous mogul Jacobim Mugatu, who attempts to brainwash Derek into assassinating the prime minister of Malaysia.

— Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 27 July 2026

Definition of assassinating

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“Whacking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whacking. Accessed 18 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of whacking

adjective

adverb

verb

Example Sentences

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